Live This Friday: Award-Winning Incarcerated Journalist Christopher Blackwell
Join us for an Open Book chat on December 5 to discuss how this writer won the 2023 Narratively Memoir Prize, co-authored a book, became a prolific freelance writer and more—all from behind bars.
When we first read Christopher Blackwell’s essay, “Chaos and Noise: One Man’s Harrowing Stint in Solitary Confinement,” which would go on to win the 2023 Narratively Memoir Prize two years ago, we knew we had a special writer in our midst. Christopher is a beautiful essayist with the ability to pour his soul on the page and make it seem effortless. But when we learned that he had an entire career as a journalist writing for publications like The New York Times and The Washington Post, and that he’d co-founded a nonprofit, we were in serious awe. Not to mention the book about solitary confinement he’s co-authored and the podcast he’s released since.
How has he managed to do so much, and without all the regular conveniences that we take for granted on a daily basis? We’ll ask him about all of this and more in our upcoming live Open Book episode, How to Become a Prize-Winning Essayist From Prison.
Join us this Friday, December 5, at 1 p.m. ET, ahead of the deadline for the 2025 Narratively Memoir Prize (Sunday, December 7!) while Narratively’s executive editor Jesse Sposato speaks with Christopher about his prolific career, the challenges he encounters writing from behind bars (and how he doesn’t let them get him down), and pointers on how to write an emotional piece that resonates in time to submit one to our Memoir Prize! Come check it out and bring your questions for an open Q&A with Christopher toward the end. We can’t wait to see you!
This live event is free and open to all. Click here to join us on Zoom on Friday.
(If you’re asked for a passcode, enter: 517422)
And….it’s almost Wednesday, which means it’s just about time for Writers’ Room! At the midpoint of each week, members of our community meet up to share a virtual space and write together.
This week’s Writers’ Room is tomorrow, Wednesday, December 3, at 8 a.m. ET and again at 8 a.m. PT. You can choose to join whichever time works better for you — or even for both.
AND for paying subscribers, we’ll be staying a half hour longer after each session for “Extra Help.” Come armed with any questions you might have about a piece you’re struggling with or writing in general, and we’ll answer them. Specifically, executive editor Jesse Sposato will answer them from 9-9:30 ET tomorrow, and editorial director Brendan Spiegel will answer them from 9-9:30 PT.
Click this Zoom link to join us for either session on Wednesday.
(If you are asked for a passcode, enter: 824784)
Want to receive text message alerts each week when we’re about to begin Writers’ Room, or add this weekly event to your calendar?
8 a.m. ET Writers’ Room: head here to (very easily) sign up for text alerts, and here to add the 8 a.m. ET Writers’ Room to your calendar.
8 a.m. PT Writers’ Room: head here to sign up for text alerts and here to add the 8 a.m. PT Writers’ Room to your cal.